Isabella 186.It was still morning and Damien did not feel like going to work after what my dad had done. We walked slowly back to his car after the nasty confrontation that took place moments ago between him and my father.Damien had no actual destination in mind so he just drove aimlessly."What is going on in your head?" I asked him as he watched the road, a grim expression etched on his face."You don't want to know," He gruffly replied."Damien, you are shutting me out again," I let him know. "And that makes you no different from my father," I added and quite frankly, I had no idea where those words came from."I am thinking of punching your dad in the face, I want to wrap my hands around his neck and keep squeezing," He curtly replied.I raised my eyebrows, mildly surprised that he told me."I told you that you did not want to know," Damien said when he saw my shocked expression."That is not it, I am actually shocked that you told me," I replied."Which part? About me kicking y
Damien 187I sat at my desk, the weight of recent revelations pressing down on me like a suffocating blanket. Despite my best efforts to focus on work, my mind kept drifting back to the dark secrets lurking within Renaissance, and the role my father-in-law, Emilio, played in it all.I tried to bury myself in reports and emails, but every word on the screen blurred together, the letters dancing before my eyes in a mocking dance of distraction. I needed to clear my head, to find some semblance of clarity in the chaos that threatened to consume me.Just then, a soft knock echoed through my office, followed by the sound of the door swinging open. I looked up to see Camilla Valdez standing in the doorway, her presence as unwelcome as ever."Damien," she purred, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to maintain a neutral expression despite the rising tide of anger and frustration building within me. "Wha
Isabella 188.I stayed over at Ava's where the security was tightened and my father was banned from entering the premises. It was safer that way and I had no current desire to ever see him again. Ever since he came into my life, it had been one lie after another.I could not even deny that I was not impressed by how he emotionally insinuated his way into my life and tried to turn me against Damien by painting him in a bad and mysterious way. He sounded almost accusatory whenever he mentioned Damien.It was as if he had a personal issue with Damien's existence. I had never understood why he was not in acceptance of my husband but he could take his concerns to hell. I could not believe that I even consoled him when he shed those tears of regret.Were the tears. even real?"Earth to Isabella, my dear you were long gone," Ava said as she joined me at the backyard porch.I smiled sheepishly."Just lost in thoughts, that's all," I replied."I understand perfectly what
Damien 189.I sat in my office, staring blankly at the computer screen, the cursor blinking mockingly as if taunting me with my own indecision. Camilla's words echoed in my mind, her insistent demand for me to attend the meeting with Senator Kelly ringing in my ears like a relentless drumbeat.I had never been one to trust politicians, and for good reason. In my line of work, corruption ran rampant, and those in power often wielded it like a weapon, using their influence to further their own agendas at the expense of the innocent.But Camilla was relentless in her pursuit, her persuasive arguments leaving me with little choice but to acquiesce to her demands. She had a way of twisting words, of painting a picture so compelling that it was almost impossible to resist.With a heavy sigh, I pushed back from my desk and rose to my feet, the weight of Camilla's expectations heavy on my shoulders. Despite my misgivings, I knew that I had to tread carefully, to play
Isabella 190.As Natalia's piercing gaze met mine, I felt a shiver run down my spine, the memory of her tumultuous relationship with Damien still fresh in my mind. She was a force to be reckoned with, her confidence bordering on arrogance, her beauty a weapon she wielded with deadly precision. But beneath the facade of glamour and allure, there lurked a darkness, a shadow of manipulation and deceit that made my skin crawl.I glanced over at Ava, my mother-in-law, her expression tight with barely concealed disdain as she regarded Natalia with narrowed eyes. She had never been shy about her feelings towards Damien's ex-girlfriend, always quick to voice her disapproval at the mere mention of her name.Natalia's lips curled into a smug smile, her gaze flickering between Ava and me with a hint of amusement. "I heard Damien was in town, so I thought I'd come and say hello," she replied, her tone sweet but laced with a subtle undertone of malice.I clenched my fists at my sides, my nails dig
Damien 191.I was calling it a day after the meeting with Senator Kelly. There was something sinister about the man that I could not put my finger on but I was certain that I did not trust him one bit. I closed the door to my office and headed for the elevator."Who are you?" I asked as went out of my office to see a lady sitting behind a desk meant for the secretary.The seat had been vacant ever since I took the position of CEO but I had not appointed a secretary ever since nor did I ever have the intention to."I am your new secretary," The lady replied."I did not hire a new secretary, why are you here?" I curtly retorted."Ms. Camilla Valdez, she gave me this job, I am just doing what I am told," The lady said."What's your name?" I asked."Gia," She replied.I was willing to bet that Gia here was a spy sent to keep an eye on me. And it was obvious that I could not trust Gia. It was foolish to do so.As I settled into my office chair, the weight of the day's responsibilities bear
Isabella 192."Why don't we all take a seat and behave like adults for once. And one more thing Natalia, the only reason I have not kicked your ass out is because this discussion has to do with my son," She said looking at her with contempt.We all sat at the small dining room situated between the kitchen and the living room. There was a tension filled silence as we all sat. I had so many things to get of my chest and tell Natalia but she was the guest and I was the unfortunate host."Care to tell us exactly why you are in my house? And please don't say my son's name," Ava asked as she glared at Natalia."I am here because of your son, Ava, and I will always be here because I love Damien," Natalia said adamantly.It filled me with rage the way he kept mentioning my husband's name but I kept mute."However, I am also here because of your father, Isabella," Natalia said and turned to me. I frowned and watched her with caution. Only few people knew about my dad and I."Should I even ask
DamienAs I sat in my study, the weight of the day's events pressing down on me like a suffocating blanket, my mind raced with a thousand thoughts and worries. Isabella and I had paid a visit to her father, Emilio, seeking answers about his past involvement as the Puppeteer behind Renaissance. But what should have been a straightforward conversation had quickly devolved into chaos, with Emilio's uncouth behavior casting a shadow of unease over our already tumultuous lives.I couldn't shake the feeling of apprehension that gnawed at me from within, a sense of foreboding that whispered of danger lurking just beyond the horizon. Enemies were emerging from the shadows, their motives murky and their intentions sinister. And as the walls closed in around us, I knew that I had to confront the looming threat head-on, to protect my family at all costs.Emilio was a man haunted by his past, his secrets a heavy burden that weighed him down like chains. And if he was not careful, that chain would